Device for detecting bent spindles



June 6, 1950 I J. D. RUST 2,510,258

DEVICE FOR DETECTING BENT S'PINDLES Filed Aug. 20, 1946 I I D. "1- I v 1 1 I i I I INVENTOR, I Jbhn D. Rwfi,

1 I BY I ATTORNEY.

Patented June 6, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,510,258 DEVICE FOR DETECTING BENT SPI'NDLES John i). Rust, lVIemphis, 'i enn. Applicants August 20, 1946, Serial N6. stress 5 Claims; 1

My invention which relates in general to cotton picking machines, more specifically relates to devices for signalling the operator in the event any spindle or spindles become bent out of their path of movement to a degree that would interfere with the proper operation of the machine.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a mechanical device, either to give to the operator a visible signal or an audible signal or both, in the event that picking spindles become bent too much to'pick effectively.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part will be pointed-out hereinafter. I

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends invention also resides in the novel details of construction,- combinations and arrangements of parts all of which w-illfirst be fully described and then be specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a cotton picking machine of the Rust type, employing one embodiment of my invention, the cover plate over the fore part of the machine being omitted.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the device looking in the directions of the arrows a in Fig. 1, parts being broken away.

Fig. 3 is a plan View similar to Fig. 1 of another embodiment of the invention, the cover plate over the fore part of the machine being removed.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic View of a further modification of my invention.

In the drawing in which like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures i represents the frame of a Rust cotton picker, 2 the conveyor drive axle, 3 the upper drive sprocket for the slat-conveyor-chain 4, 5 represents the spindles, and C represents the cover plates which rest on the frame, all of which may be of the usual construction (see for example the covers 6, I, 8, 9 in Rust Pat. No. 2,076,598, issued April 13, 1937).

Mounted by clamps 6 on a suitable part of the frame I is a non-rotating rod 1 to which arms 8 and 9 are welded, as at w, or in any other suitable way secured to the rod. The arms 8 and 9 have bearing holes for the bearing ends IE and I2 of a rock shaft [0.

To the shaft l there is welded, or otherwise suitably fixedly secured, a plurality of parallel channel iron arms I3 which are sufficiently spaced apart to provide passages I4 through which unbent spindles pass.

A sleeve I is secured by a set screw I6 to the bearing end l2 of the shaft l0 and has an arm i1 having a hole" through which a bolt [9 pa ses: The bolt I9 also. passes through 2'; lug I8 secured on the arm 8 and carries Jain nuts 20" and spring 212, the latter serving to normally holdthe shaft ID with its arms the no mail position shown in Fig. 1'. Wherrin this no tion the spinalesrunberit ones) :pas's between-upper and lower ones of the arnis [3 as indicate in Figs. I and 2 by the numeral 53 when, however", a 'spin'd-le bent up or down as at 5? n" Fig. 2, the beiit spin' dle end will rideintne-g ro'ove of-an arm l3 and push it to the position shown in Fig. 3.- action is taken advantage of to'opr at a signal such as that produced by rotation of shaft [0 acting on a bent rod '22 (Fig. 1):, the" movement ofwhich notifies" the opera orby visible means (the position or movement or that portion of the rod 22 which projects above the frame and cover plate) that a spindle is bent whereupon he can stop the machine from further operation, or the movement of the arms l3 and shaft [0 may be utilized to operate a circuit controller 23, 24, 26, 25 (Fig. 3) controlling a circuit 2'! in which is an audible signal 28 and a source of electric energy B.

The rod 22 and the electrical signal device may be employed together if desired or only one of them may be used.

Further, if desired, the electrical device may be adapted to stop the machine automatically by substituting a circuit breaker 23 26 for the circuit maker 23-26 and connecting it in the ignition circuit 21 28*, B of the tractor used to propel the machine.

The present application is a continuation in part of my application, Serial Number 531,632, filed April 18, 1944 now Pat. No. 2,458,531.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof it is thought the construction, operation and advantages of my invention will be clear to those skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

1. In a cotton picking machine, the combination of an endless conveyor carrying rows of cotton picking spindles, with mechanical, electrical means operated by abnormally bent spindles for audibly signalling the operator of the machine.

2. In a cotton picking machine wherein an endless conveyor carries rows of cotton picking spindles, the improvement which comprises means operated by abnormally bent spindles for signalling the operator of the machine, said means comprising a rock shaft, means for supporting said shaft on the picking machine,

grooved arms carried by said shaft and spaced sufliciently apart to permit passage of normal spindles between said arms, said arms being positioned to project over the ends of passing spindles and receive bent spindles and be pushed away by said bent spindles, means continuously urging said arms toward the spindles and a signal operable by the rocking of said rock shaft.

3. In a cotton picking machine wherein an endless conveyor carries rows of cotton picking spindles, the improvement which comprises means Operated by abnormally bent spindles for signalling the operator of the machine, said means comprising a rock shaft, means for supporting said shaft on the picking machine, grooved arms carried by said shaft and spaced sufficiently apart to permit passage of normal spindles between said arms, said arms projecting over the ends of passing spindles and positioned to receive bent spindles and be pushed away by said bent spindles, means continuously urging said arms toward the spindles, a signal circuit including a signal, a source of energy and a circuit controller, the latter being operatively connected with said rock shaft.

4. In a cotton picking machine wherein an endless conveyor carries rows of cotton picking spindles, the improvement which comprises means operated by abnormally bent spindles for signalling the operator of the machine, said means comprising a rock shaft, means for supporting said shaft on the picking machine, grooved arms carried by said shaft and spaced sufficiently apart to permit passage of normal spindles between said arms, said arms projecting over the ends of passing spindles and positioned to receive bent spindles and be pushed away by 4 said bent spindles, means continuously urging said arms toward the spindles, and a signal rod carried by said rock shaft.

5. In a cotton picking machine wherein an endless conveyor carries rows of cotton picking spindles, the improvement which comprises means operated by abnormally bent spindles for signalling the operator of the machine, said means comprising a rock shaft, means for supporting said shaft on the picking machine, grooved arms carried by said shaft and spaced sufficiently apart to permit passage of normal spindles between said arms, said arms projecting over the ends of passing spindles and positioned to receive bent spindles and be pushed away by said bent Spindles, means continuously urging said arms toward the spindles, said continuously urging means comprising an arm on said rock shaft, a lug on said supporting means and a spring-bolt connection between said last named arm and said lug, and

a signal operatively connected with said rock shaft.

JOHN D. RUST.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 744,468 Bremer Nov. 17, 1903 1,032,460 Withrow July 16, 1912 1,213,151 Cayo Jan. 23, 1917 1,383,593 Bennett July 5, 1921 1,759,086 Berry May 20, 1930 2,085,046 Rust et al June 29, 1937 2,312,340 Kilpatrick Mar. 2, 1943 

